James R. Thompson, Ph.D. has over 30 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities as a direct support professional, special educator, rehabilitation counselor, teacher educator, and researcher. He has authored or co-authored over 70 books, book chapters, monographs, and articles in professional journals, and has directed multiple federal and state funded research and model demonstration projects. His primary research focus for the past 15 years has been on support needs assessment and planning with children and adults with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities. He is the lead author of American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ Supports Intensity Scales (both the adult version and the children’s version), the first assessment tools to provide standardized measures of the support needs of people with disabilities. The Supports Intensity Scales have been translated and published in 13 languages, and are being used throughout the United States and world. Jim serves as Editor of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Dr. Thompson serves as a Professor in the Department of Special Education, Senior Scientist at the Beach Center on Disability, and Associate Director of the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the AAIDD and the Council for Exceptional Children’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Division. He currently serves as Editor of the professional journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Education

Ph.D., Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota

M.S. in Ed., Educational Administration, Illinois State University

B.S. in Ed., Special Education , Illinois State University

Teaching

Teaching and learning should be a source of joy for both my students and myself at the University of Kansas. This does not mean that I want my courses to be fun, although it is OK for a course to be fun for everyone. Rather, my goal is for students to get their "learning joy" from the energy and personal satisfaction that comes from meaningful intellectual engagement and personal growth. The joy of learning and joy of teaching have a reciprocal relationship, and I get my "teaching joy" when I see students acquiring new knowledge, competencies, and perspectives.

Teaching Interests

Special Education

Low-incidence disabilities

Transition

Research

James R. Thompson is recognized as an international expert in support needs assessment and planning with children and adults with intellectual disability and related developmental disabilities. He is the lead author of American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’ Supports Intensity Scales (both the adult version and the children’s version), the first assessment tools to provide standardized measures of the support needs of people with disabilities. The Supports Intensity Scales have been translated and published in 13 languages, and are being used throughout the United States and world.

Research Interests

Support needs assessment and planning

Intellectual disability

Service

Dr. Thompson serves as editor of the professional journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Additionally, he is a visiting professor at HoGent College in Ghent, Belgium where he consults with faculty members on disability issues at the EQUAL Center.